When describing metta, the buddha used the analogy of the care a mother gives her only child. The practice of metta meditation is a beautiful support to other awareness practices. It explains not only what loving kindness is but what the benefits to practicing. One recites specific words and phrases evoking a boundless warmhearted feeling. Savanraya vipatayotin nay dhammodaya meditation centre mu tambol th anon khat ampur muang, nakhon pathom, th ailand. Let one be capable, upright, exceedingly upright, easy to speak to, gentle, and humble. Discourse on lovingkindness karaniya metta sutta 1. Another good resource is sharon salzbergshe wrote lovingkindness. Metta loving kindness metta is commonly termed lovingkindness, universal love or unconditional love.
In lovingkindness in plain english bhante gunaratana provides a clear and thoughtful elucidation of the karaniya metta sutta, as well as. Jul 12, 2015 the loving kindness sutra, music by indiajiva, spoken and sung by ayya yeshe, australian tibetan buddhist nun, from the album, dakini buddhist chants in praise of the sacred feminine. The cultivation of metta lovingkindness is fundamental and universal to all buddhist traditions and cannot be skipped over if one wants to progress in the meditations of shamatha and karuna great compassion. You can read the karinaya metta sutta, the buddhas words on loving kindness, or learn a bit more about what metta is. The practice of metta kindle edition by gunaratana, henepola. Humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied. This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who wishes to attain the state of peace and wisdom nirvana. Lovingkindness quotes lovingkindness, or metta, is an important part of the buddhist path. It is kindness at its purest and strongest, a loving response to all life.
How to apply the buddhas metta lovingkindness sutta in. Oct 12, 2011 how to develop metta loving kindness by chanmyay myaing sayadaw is another newer 2007 book from the bodhiyarama hermitage in malaysia. Metta only wishes for the wellbeing of all living beings, metta has no expectations and desires nothing. It explains not only what loving kindness is but what the benefits to practicing loving kindness are and how to do it. Lovingkindness is a translation of the pali word metta, which is the first of the brahmaviharas, or the heavenly abodes. Metta sutta but strive to know its meaning with a view to practicing it and to make it suffuse your being. Jan 01, 1995 lovingkindness is a translation of the pali word metta, which is the first of the brahmaviharas, or the heavenly abodes. Book of protection discourse on lovingkindness buddhanet. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading lovingkindness in plain english. Rahula, the buddha, and ananda thai art the following is an edited, interpretive translation of the famous discourse on loving kindness by the western theravada monk ven. Metta meditation sutras the practice of loving kindness. Lovingkindness, translation of khp 9 by nanamoli thera.
The characteristic of loving kindness is to promote wellbeing. This cultivation of loving kindness is an essential part of buddhism. It is a fundamental teaching in buddhism and one that is. The buddhas words on lovingkindness, translation of khp 9 by the amaravati sangha. The monks went back to the forest, and practicing the instruction conveyed, permeated the whole atmosphere with their radiant thoughts of metta or loving kindness. In fact, the metta sutta is one of the buddhas most important teachings. Metta loving kindness is one of the four immeasurables or four divine states of mind these are mental states or qualities cultivated by practice. Many of the core buddhists texts and practices come from the buddha, and the metta sutta is no exception. Loving kindness metta is among the four meditation subjects which are called the divine abidings brahmaviharas. It is from a part of the tripitaka called the sutta nipata, which is in the sutrapitaka.
The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. Here are some of our favorite quotes on loving kindness. The following is a basic set of instructions from the book the issue at hand by gil fronsdal written as a gift to the community. Metta, or loving kindness, lies at the heart of buddhism. Metta sutta this is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace. The metta sutta is a beautiful example of how we can bring lovingkindness to difficult beings and. This is one of my most favorite sutra of all, because i believe this sutra expressed the essence of buddhism very well. Metta as compassion meditation is often practiced in asia by broadcast chanting, wherein monks chant for the laity. Metta is defined as the sincere and genuine wish for the welfare and genuine happiness of all living beings without exception, and without any selfish motive or expectation. Jul 29, 2017 the metta sutta is the buddhas discourse on developing and sustaining loving kindness. Here are some of our favorite quotes on lovingkindness. Besides the usual translation, loving kindness, metta might also be translated as good will, having an attitude of good will towards all beings. Finally, direct the metta towards everyone universally. Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech, humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied, unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
According to the scriptures, metta is the wish for the welfare and happiness of all living beings. A meditation on lovingkindness this meditation uses words, images, and feelings to evoke a lovingkindness and friendliness toward oneself and others. The metta sutta is the buddhas key teaching on loving kindness. Jun 26, 2018 metta is the practice of loving kindness, or the opening of the heart toward ourselves and others. The characteristic of lovingkindness is to promote wellbeing. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Metta sutta this is what should be done by one who is skilled. Meditation does not mean merely to think about it, but to practice it in your daily life. All of this will delight the reader who is interested in better understanding the traditional texts. English espanol francais italiano thereon the buddha instructed them in the metta sutta and advised their return equipped. In this 3minute video, sylvia boorstein, author of happiness is an inside job, teaches how to do this. Lovingkindness series 2018 white hall meditationwhite hall. We begin with our self and gradually extend the wish for wellbeing happiness to all beings. Send love and positive energy to parents and kids in other places.
Learn about the history of metta, read the buddhas words on loving kindness, and find free guided metta meditations. With each recitation of the phrases, we are expressing an intention, planting the seeds of loving wishes over and over in our heart. In loving kindness in plain english bhante gunaratana provides a clear and thoughtful elucidation of the karaniya metta sutta, as well as other discourses that give guidance on practicing metta lovingkindness. On one occasion the blessed one was dwelling at savatthi in jetas grove, anathapiikas park. Metta, or loving kindness, is one of the most important buddhist practices. I imagine that if the buddha preached the metta sutta today, the newspaper reporting the event would say. Apr 06, 2017 the metta sutta the sermon on lovingkindness is part of the pali canon. It gives instructions for lovingkindness practice and promises that liberation is its reward. The metta sutta the buddhas words on lovingkindness. The others sharon salzberg has practiced buddhist meditation for many years, so the book provides much information about buddhism. Anandajoti reading the mettasutta translation in english. Can we now try and be in the metta loving kindness, unconditional love friendship frequency throughout the day. I can appreciate why this book has become a classic in its circles. Read lovingkindness in plain english by henepola gunaratana for.
The compassion and universal loving kindness concept of metta is discussed in the metta sutta of buddhism, and is also found in the ancient and medieval texts of hinduism and jainism as metta or maitri. Karaniya metta sutta the discourse on loving kindness all the versions of this article. The reference to samyutta nikaya is to samyutta followed by the number of the sutta. The word metta is a pali word that means, loving kindness. While the buddha was staying at savatthi, a band of monks, having received subjects of meditation. Not caught up in too many duties and frugal in ones wants. Lovingkindness quotes loving kindness, or metta, is an important part of the buddhist path. Although it purports to be about metta translated from the pali as lovingkindness, both what.
In this book, seven experienced meditators share their reflections on the nature of metta, and give instructions and advice on its cultivation in meditation and in daily life. Metta lovingkindness meditation, script and teachings. Thereon the buddha instructed them in the metta sutta and advised their return equipped with this sutta for their protection. Lovingkindness in plain english the wisdom experience. How to teach children lovingkindness meditation sharon salzberg. Aug 30, 2008 mix imee ooi the chant of metta lyrics. This is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness and who wishes to attain the state of. The discourses that follow show in that order the wretchedness of all anger and hate there is no righteous anger in the buddhas teaching. Let them be able and upright, straightforward and gentle in speech. Loving kindness is defined in english dictionaries as a feeling of benevolent affection, but in buddhism, loving kindness in pali, metta. Lovingkindness the metta sutta is sometimes called the karaniya metta sutta. Karaniya metta sutta read aloud talking book by thanissaro bhikkhu.
Metta loving kindness meditation public group facebook. Most simply, metta is the heartfelt wish for the wellbeing of oneself and others. How to practice loving kindness meditation metta wikihow. Jun 11, 2012 metta is one of the four great virtues. The metta sutta is the buddhas discourse on developing and sustaining loving kindness. The book includes the karaniya meta sutta and the meta nisamsa sutta. Its publications include accurate annotated translations of the buddhas discourses, standard reference works, as well as original. The buddhas words on lovingkindness sutrasutta this is what should be done by one who is skilled in goodness, and who knows the path of peace. Jan 26, 2017 the teaching is called the metta sutta or, lovingkindness discourse. Loving kindness is a profound recognition that our lives have something to do with one another that everyone counts, everyone matters. Karaniya metta sutta the buddhas words on loving kindness if you are mindful and desire to breakthrough to a state of perfect peace, then this is the teaching for you. It is a fundamental teaching in buddhism and one that is often used as an introduction to the spiritual practice. Sep 07, 2018 in fact, the metta sutta is one of the buddhas most important teachings.
Morning and evening puja and reflections hemel hempstead. Sharon salzberg offers innovative ways to interact with the world around you through lovingkindness meditations on the go. Discourse of loving kindness this discourse of loving kindness serves as a mark of protection and as a subject of. You can read the karinaya metta sutta, the buddhas words on lovingkindness, or learn a bit more about what metta is. The cultivation of metta loving kindness is fundamental and universal to all buddhist traditions and cannot be skipped over if one wants to progress in the meditations of shamatha and karuna great compassion. In this ground breaking book of the practical and the profound, jayan reveals how sacred wisdom can be integrated into our busy lives. This beautiful book not only expertly guides us in cultivating lovingkindness. Metta bhavana lovingkindness meditation venerable dhammarakkhita published for free di. Bhante g stresses in his book that first thing to do, is relax. Along with compassion karuna, sympathetic joy mudita and equanimity upeka, the buddha encouraged everyone to perfect these. The metta sutta is the name used for two buddhist discourses pali.
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